Central State University and Lincoln University Students Embark on 10-Week Internship Journey with From The Ground Up  

The inaugural cohort of From The Ground Up’s Undergraduate Interns for Innovative Agricultural Conservation Practices Program have officially begun their 10-week summer internship journey that will place them in communities, farms, laboratories, and research sites across the Midwest. 

The internship program for students from Central State University in Ohio and Lincoln University in Missouri provides undergraduates with hands-on opportunities to work alongside farmers, researchers, extension professionals, and agricultural educators. The interns are gaining firsthand experience in conservation agriculture, soil health research, farmer engagement, outreach, and educational programming. Students are completing internships outside their home states, with Missouri students placed in Ohio and many Ohio students gaining experience in Missouri.  

From participating in on-farm research (including disease scouting and soil infiltration testing) to helping develop outreach materials and working directly with producers, the students will play an active role in advancing farmer-led conservation research while building valuable professional skills. Following their summer placements, the students will work with faculty during the academic year to develop educational materials and learning experiences for high school students, helping introduce the next generation to careers and opportunities in agriculture. 

Raniah Saunders, a rising senior at Central State University, is eager to expand her knowledge through direct field experience. “Coming from the Bahamas, I’ve always been passionate about environmental sustainability. So, with this internship, it is my hope to gain more understanding and knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices.” She adds, “I’m going into it with an open mind, and [I’m] ready to adapt and learn.” 

Lincoln University student Alyssa Townsend sees the internship as an opportunity for personal and professional growth. “I hope to gain more confidence in myself, more resilience, and just a clear path of what I want to do as a career.” 

Training the next generation of agricultural leaders  

Before heading to their placements, the students gathered in Columbus for a two-day opening workshop hosted jointly by From The Ground Up (FTGUp) and the Enabling Farmer Discovery internship programs. The workshop served as the official launch of both internships and introduced students to the people, projects, and goals that will guide their summer experience. 

Held at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on The Ohio State University campus, participants took part in training sessions focused on conservation practices, professional development, networking opportunities, and farm visits. They visited the farm of Plain City producer and FTGUp farmer innovator, Brent Hostetler, and the Mid-Ohio Food Collective’s farm in Columbus, where they gained firsthand exposure to innovative agricultural practices, conservation research, and the real-world farming systems they will be exploring throughout their summer placements. 

For Dr. Doug Jackson-Smith, Professor and Kellogg Endowed Chair of Agroecosystem Management at The Ohio State University and FTGUp Project Director, the workshop marked the beginning of an important summer of learning and collaboration. “This is the beginning of our big dive this summer into making something happen that’s important, informative, [and] empowering… [the interns] will get to be exposed to the nuts and bolts of working in the trenches on these projects.” He added, “We’re trying to do something that is changing the world, and we want [the students] to be part of that and part of passing it forward after [they] leave us.” 

Several other university leaders joined the opening workshop to welcome the interns and highlight the importance of the work they are about to undertake. Among them was Dr. Jamie Strange, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University, who encouraged students to connect their personal interests with meaningful agricultural challenges. “[This internship is] a way to take your interests and engage them…and work with growers and farmers and stakeholders… to make this world a better place,” said Dr. Strange. 

Building relationships and professional connections were key points university leaders emphasized. Dr. Jose Toledo, Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Central State University told the students, “Build connections…. Those connections are very important. You are going to have professional development opportunities. All of those activities, please take advantage of them.” 

Dr. Amy Hobbs Harris, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Central State University told the students, “I’m so proud of all of you. I can’t wait to hear at the end of the summer what you do with your internships… So best of the luck to you all.”  

FTGUp is a farmer-led research project working to improve the performance of conservation practices on Midwestern farms. The farmers are supported by researchers and extension educators at The Ohio State University and Central State University in Ohio, the University of Missouri and Lincoln University in Missouri, and non-profit Solutions from the Land. 

By Lauren Cremers